Attack spurs community to speak out against hate

The alleged assault of a woman at a Grove Street convenience store, during which she apparently was bombarded with racial epithets, has spurred a renewed effort to combat bias and bigotry in the city.

VIDEO: Leaders speak out against hate crime

By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

The alleged assault of a woman at a Grove Street convenience store, during which she apparently was bombarded with racial epithets, has spurred a renewed effort to combat bias and bigotry in the city.

City and community leaders today again declared Worcester to be “No Place for Hate” and condemned the Nov. 18 assault at Honey Farms, 241 Grove St.

Police Chief Gary J. Gemme, a longtime member of the city Community Coalition on Bias and Hate, said he was saddened that there is still a need in the community to hold public events denouncing hate crimes. The chief was one of dozens of people at City Hall today to show public condemnation of the store assault.

“In the early morning hours of Tuesday, Nov. 18, an incident that was motivated on the basis of racial hatred occurred,” Chief Gemme said.

On that day, a black woman entering the convenience store was allegedly verbally and physically assaulted by two white men. The woman’s boyfriend, who was waiting in his car, was then targeted, according to police. The confrontation ended when the boyfriend, who police said was trying to escape harm, hit one of the attackers with his car.

Police who responded to the incident said they saw an out-of-control individual shouting racial epithets and making physical threats against the 22-year-old woman. The man’s derogatory language did not subside when officers arrived.Police identified the two men as John Polydores, 26, of 926 Southbridge St., and Douglas Griffin, 22, of 16 Pleasant St., Paxton.

“Inexplicably, at the time of this offense, the prime suspect (Mr. Polydores) was out on bail awaiting trial in Superior Court for gun and drug offenses. His bail in those cases has now been revoked, and he is currently awaiting trial,” Chief Gemme said.

He said the state attorney general’s office is seeking federal civil rights violations against the two men. The matter is before a grand jury, according to the chief.

Also speaking at today’s gathering were U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr., City Manager Michael V. O’Brien and Mayor Konstantina B. Lukes.

Looking over the crowd packed in the third-floor hallway, Mr. McGovern said he was inspired by the crowd’s diversity.

“We are a community that will not tolerate hate; we are a community that will not be complicit,” he said.

Rabbi Seth L. Bernstein of Temple Sinai inspired applause after he characterized the hate crimes against individuals as attacks on all. He characterized the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, as 500 hate crimes, “Not just one, but one after another after another. They are an attack on everything that happens in this world. We need to take stronger and unequivocal stands.”

Edna Spencer, director of affirmative action and diversity at Worcester State College, said she was just one of many activists and citizens in Worcester who reacted to the incident in November with anger and disgust.

“I realized that the city could not afford to not speak out,” Ms. Spencer said. If citizens refuse to speak out against hate crimes, she said, then a quiet submission lets perpetrators get away with crimes, and the community will ultimately suffer.

Worcester was recognized as a “No Place for Hate” community in 2006. The designation is through an Anti-Defamation League program, the Massachusetts Municipal Association and Blue Cross Blue Shield.